The cabin remodel

[m1west]

After the big clean up, this is most of the drop, minus the boards I brought home to make the base for the cooking/ eating area. Not too many 14’ left, mostly 4’-7’. Cabin neighbor wants it so it will go to a good home.

 

[tiredretired]

Looking good. I would like to add that it is not code to put anything in front of an electrical panel like you have pictured. Just saying, not trying to be a pain in the ass. That is going to be a helluva cabin. It already is actually.

 

[m1west]

Looking good. I would like to add that it is not code to put anything in front of an electrical panel like you have pictured. Just saying, not trying to be a pain in the ass. That is going to be a helluva cabin. It already is actually.

I’ll have to check that out, always been instructed in the industrial setting that nothing can be directly in front of the panel door closer than 36”, maybe different for homes, but I’m off grid and nothing gets inspected out here, the zoning allows the building of structures but not subject to any code or inspections.

 

[tiredretired]

I’ll have to check that out, always been instructed in the industrial setting that nothing can be directly in front of the panel door closer than 36”, maybe different for homes, but I’m off grid and nothing gets inspected out here, the zoning allows the building of structures but not subject to any code or inspections.

For years it was always standard procedure to put the 45KVA transformer directly under the 480/277 panel that feeds the 120/208 panel. Suddenly, one day the new NEC came out and it was a no no.

 

[FrancSevin]

For years it was always standard procedure to put the 45KVA transformer directly under the 480/277 panel that feeds the 120/208 panel. Suddenly, one day the new NEC came out and it was a no no.

Is that the same NEC that cannot determine whether to put the ground plug on a duplex up or down?

 

[waybomb]

The eyes have to be on top and the mouth on the bottom! So you can draw funny pictures on the duplex.

 

[m1west]

The intent is in an emergency somthing on the floor could make it difficult reaching the panel, I can easily reach the panel over the hw tank and when the floor is done it will set on the floor, I granted myself a variance.

 

[tiredretired]

Is that the same NEC that cannot determine whether to put the ground plug on a duplex up or down?

Yep, same one. Also the same one that insists on all those arc fault breakers that cause so many call backs for the romex jerkers who wire houses.

 

[tiredretired]

The intent is in an emergency somthing on the floor could make it difficult reaching the panel, I can easily reach the panel over the hw tank and when the floor is done it will set on the floor, I granted myself a variance.

Well there is that and also working on a live panel there is that big hunk of grounded metal that can ruin your day if one is dumb enough to get hung up. Please, don't ask me how I know.

 

[m1west]

Well there is that and also working on a live panel there is that big hunk of grounded metal that can ruin your day if one is dumb enough to get hung up. Please, don't ask me how I know.

You do realize that I’m off grid on solar with an inverter that can be turned off in one second, I don’t work in hot panels, even at home I turn the power off at the main breaker. Zero chance of getting zapped that way and up here I’m just with the dog and pretty sure his first aid card is expired.

 

[waybomb]

Safety is no accident!

Even though in my younger days I did drill 3 live 480vac buss bars for an extra 200 amp panel. But they were real big so no chance of hitting the others.......

 

[m1west]

Safety is no accident!

Even though in my younger days I did drill 3 live 480vac buss bars for an extra 200 amp panel. But they were real big so no chance of hitting the others.......

That’s correct, I don’t take chances with electricity ( I don’t work on hot wires) or take chances with fire ( never burn outside unless it’s raining or a lot of snow on the ground) those two things I never chance. If flipping a breaker don’t fix it, the main power turns off and verified off, before I go into a panel. Up here on the mountain emergency help is a long way away and the gps will not get them here.

 

[FrancSevin]

Many years ago, my dad was wiring my basement bedroom. I had built it with my own money and did a pretty goo job but he insisted on "teaching" me how to wire a wall plug and a light fixture. He was doing the light fixture, standing on a short, wooden stepladder, and working with the power "ON." At 13 years old I knew that was dangerous, so I asked him why?
He explained that so long as he only touched one wire at a time, it was safe. To prove it he touched one black wire, and nothing happened.

Then he convinced me to touch the same wire. Nervously I slowly let my hand creep up to that ominous, exposed copper extending beyond the black plastic sheathing,,,, and got ,,,knocked on my ass.

Apparently, using the adjacent drainpipe for balance was not recommended in the instructions.

I have never worked on live circuits since.

Not sure I ever trusted my dad again either.